Second Grade Curriculum
Second grade is an exciting time for children, as their cognitive abilities further open up the world of learning. New concepts build upon what has been taught in kindergarten and first grade. Second
graders work more independently.They learn how to be self-starters to begin a variety of classroom assignments.
Reading: Reader's Workshop
In second grade, fluency, comprehension, and analysis are the focus of reading instruction. Students apply their knowledge of the basic features of reading to achieve fluency in oral and silent reading. Students learn to ask questions and to make connections with their prior knowledge and previously read texts. By the end of second grade, students should be able to read with accuracy and fluency to support their comprehension of literature and informational text.
What Will Reading Workshop Look Like?
Mini-lesson:
Each Reading Workshop session will begin with a mini lesson that lasts approximately 10 minutes. Each mini lesson will focus on a reading strategy. There may be times where a strategy will be studied over the course of several days, in which case the mini lessons that week will be related to that strategy.
Independent Reading Time with Instruction:
Children are engaged in private reading time. During this time the teacher is doing the following:
Reading conferences – I listen to your child read from any one of their books. I offer a compliment of something great I’ve noticed, and then provide instruction that can help them become a better reader.
Guided Reading Group – your child will be given texts to read that are at their instructional reading level.
Strategy Reading Groups-these groups can be composed of children at a variety of reading levels, but who are all needing extra instruction on a given strategy/skill.
Sharing Time- during this time the class might: Meet as a whole group to refer back to the mini lesson and think further or meet as reading partners to discuss their books.
Why Is Reading Workshop SO Great?
Readers have time to read just-right books independently every day
Readers select their own appropriate books
Readers take care of books
Readers respect each other’s reading time and reading lives
Readers have daily opportunities to talk about their books in genuine ways
Readers don’t just read the words but also understand the story
Reader’s work in the independent reading workshop is replicable outside of the classroom
Spelling- Sequential Spelling
Sequential Spelling builds on “bases” or “word families” that use the same letter endings. The children see patterns of spelling that exist in many words, from the very simple to the more complicated. For example, by introducing the word “at” a child should be able to spell “bat”, “cat” or “scat”, but will also quickly be able to draw on this knowledge to spell “rattle” and “batteries”.
Each week the children will work with a different word family. Words are selected for common elements rather than grade level appropriateness. Spelling assessments will be given on Fridays.
Writing: "Writer's Workshop"
Writer's Workshop is the name given to our writing time each day. Our lessons are taken, primarily, from the Units of Study for Primary Writers authored by Lucy Calkins and the Teacher's College at the Columbia University.
The first 10-15 minutes of Writer's Workshop there will be a mini-lesson, or direct teacher instruction. The focus will be learning about techniques and strategies that good writers use. After the mini-lesson students will have independent writing time where the students are allowed to choose the topic for their writing. By giving the students choices in their writing, it makes the writing more meaningful and engaging. While the students are writing the teacher will be meeting with individuals or small groups to conference with them about their writing and to encourage their growth as writers. Sometimes in the middle of the independent writing time we will pause for a "mid-workshop share." This will be a time for the teacher to refocus the group, or to highlight the extraordinary efforts of an individual writer in the class. At the end of the workshop, about 10-15 minutes will be spent giving the students an opportunity to share their writing with the class or a writing partner.
Students will learn to write, revise, edit, and publish stories throughout the school year. They will also begin to assess their writing and learn to implement the characteristics of quality writing into their own work. Most of our writing will be kept at school and will be sent home at the end of the year.
Mathematics: Math in Focus: Singapore Math
We will be using Math In Focus: Singapore Math this year in second grade.
Singapore math teaches concepts using a concrete–pictorial–abstract learning progression to anchor learning in real-world, hands-on experiences.
Concrete
Concepts are introduced through hands-on experiences with manipulatives.
Pictorial
Students visualize the concept and represent it pictorially through models like number bonds and bar models.
Abstract
Students only use abstract numbers and symbols when they have enough context to understand what they mean.
These materials have been aligned with both the NCTM and the new Common Core math standards. The curriculum materials include differentiated learning centers, hands-on manipulatives, and multiple online interactive practice options. Students in second grade extend their understanding of place value (within 1,000), build fluency in addition and subtraction (within 100), and use simple concepts of multiplication and division. They measure the length of objects using appropriate tools and identify shapes and their attributes.
Social Studies:
The focus for social studies in second grade is on communities and the diverse cultures that have contributed to the nation's heritage. Students examine not only the geographic locations but also the cultural characteristics and contributions that have shaped communities and regions. They continue their study of government by identifying its functions and leaders. Additionally, students focus on the fact that public's choices about what to buy determines what goods and services are produced.
The focus for social studies in second grade is on communities and the diverse cultures that have contributed to the nation's heritage. Students examine not only the geographic locations but also the cultural characteristics and contributions that have shaped communities and regions. They continue their study of government by identifying its functions and leaders. Additionally, students focus on the fact that public's choices about what to buy determines what goods and services are produced.